By STEVE GRAY
THE old Applethorpe TAFE site will be subdivided and the part containing the old college offered for sale by public tender.
The former Applethorpe TAFE College buildings and 21 hectares will be on offer after the subdivision, which is aimed at preserving a large dam and some water licences in public ownership.
The council was told at its recent meeting there had been several recent inquiries about the possible purchase of the site.
About 21 hectares will be offered for public tender after subdivision from the 60-hectare site.
Training ceased at Applethorpe TAFE College in 2006 and teaching was transferred to the Queensland College of Wine Tourism in Stanthorpe.
The property was acquired from the Queensland Government by the former Stanthorpe Shire council in January 2008.
Previous expressions of interests and written tenders were called for the site in 2008 and 2009 but the only area leased was the parcel of land at the rear of the property, for farming.
Those tendering will be invited to bid on the land and buildings of the previous TAFE college as well as the farm house at the rear of the college.
Offers will not include the water storage facility that would remain in council ownership, which is situated on the remaining property.
Council will upgrade the water supply to the site as a condition of sale, including the upgrading of several properties along the water supply line.
Water licences associated with the property will be allocated to the two land parcels that emanate from the subdivision.
Councillors agreed that by going through a public tender process council would have the final say in the future of the site and it would hopefully bring some revenue to council.
